Course Description

This course is for K-12 teachers who are looking for creative and innovative ways to engage their students in solving real-world problems through the design thinking process.


Lindy Johnson

My research draws on sociocultural theories of mediated action (Vygotsky, 1978; Wertsch, 1991) and social semiotic theories of multimodality (Jewitt & Kress, 2003) to investigate the increasingly multimodal nature of digital technologies, and the emerging social practices and activities that arise from these technologies. I am particularly interested in examining the kinds of instructional supports both teachers and adolescents need in order to comprehend and create complex multimodal texts.Prior to pursuing my Ph.D. in Language and Literacy from The University of Georgia, I taught high school English in Boston Public Schools.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Welcome!

    • Introductions

    • Course Overview - General Course Information for Participants
  • 2

    Module 1 - What is the Design Thinking Process?

    • Learning Outcomes

    • Do You Think Like a Designer?

    • Video - "What is Design Thinking?"

    • The Steps in the Design Thinking Process

    • The Design Thinking Process

    • Background of Design Thinking

    • Reading: "Improving Schools Through Design Thinking"

    • Discussion - Initial Impressions

    • Module 1: Recap and Resources
  • 3

    Module 2 - Why Design Thinking? Why Now?

    • Learning Outcomes

    • Discussion - How do you you think your students feel in your classroom?

    • Reading - "Our high school kids: tired, stressed, and bored."

    • Reading - "Can Design Thinking Help Schools Find New Solutions to Old Problems"

    • Video - "Most Likely to Succeed"

    • Discussion - Why do you think it’s important for teachers and students to develop design thinking skills?

    • Module 2: Recap and Resources
  • 4

    Module 3 - How Do I Engage My Students in Design Thinking?

    • Learning Outcomes

    • The Wallet Challenge

    • Part 1: The False Start

    • Part 2: Empathize

    • Part 3: Define

    • Part 4: Ideate

    • Part 5: Prototype

    • Part 6: Test

    • Discussion: Wallet Challenge - How did it go?

    • Module 3: Recap and Resources
  • 5

    Module 4 - How Do I Create My Own Design Thinking Challenge?

    • Learning Outcomes

    • Discussion: Challenge Your Community

    • Our Example Challenge

    • Your Design Challenge

    • Recap

    • Reflection 1 - Describe Your Design Challenge

    • Reflection 2 - Empathize/Share With Your Students

    • Reflection 3 - Moving Forward

    • Resources and Exit Survey
  • 6

    Congratulations!

    • Entry Event Badge